Spirit City, the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong rested her face against her left hand, as though she were taking a nap, or perhaps pondering something. Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo stood at attention on either side of her. In the sunlight, she looked especially sacred and compassionate.
Xiao Yan stood before her, waiting for his fate to be pronounced.
"A cyan Soul Ring... I've truly never heard of such a thing." Bibi Dong opened her eyes, recalling the shock the young man had just given her. He was only a One-Ring Soul Master, yet when he released his Martial Soul, his presence had been like that of an unrivaled expert. Fire Elemental Martial Souls were rare, but no one had ever seen a flame Martial Soul so complex. It was as though countless kinds of powerful flames had merged into one. Most astonishing of all was his Soul Ring, a cyan Soul Ring the likes of which had never been seen before.
"Your Holiness?" Xiao Yan was a little flustered. After all, he had a guilty conscience and didn't know whether this world's supreme expert would see through him. But Bibi Dong plainly had no attention to spare for Xiao Yan's fluster. Her heart was full of joy at discovering a genius and amazement at his wondrous traits.
"Ahem, Xiao Yan." Realizing she had lost her composure, Bibi Dong grew a little embarrassed and said, "You are very good. I don't know about your family's circumstances. Would they agree to your joining Spirit Hall?"
"Your Holiness," Xiao Yan replied, "I have neither father nor mother. I was raised by the villagers. My future is uncertain. I only want to become strong enough to decide my own fate." When he finished, Xiao Yan even squeezed out a few tears. The sight of a six-year-old boy shedding tears while trying to put on a brave face was evidently quite powerful; even Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo were somewhat moved. To Bibi Dong, this lonely yet strong boy was just like herself. She too had grown up without a father or mother, been betrayed by the two people she loved most, and lived a lonely life. This made her sympathize with Xiao Yan all the more.
"Good. Now that you've joined Spirit Hall, you are one of us. Xiao Yan, are you willing to take me as your master?"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's face naturally lit up with joy, and he promptly bowed. "Your disciple Xiao Yan pays his respects, Master!"
"You child, I really don't know where you learned that," Bibi Dong said with a smile. "All right, there's no need for such a formal bow. Now that you're my disciple, I will naturally do my utmost to nurture you and make sure your talent doesn't go to waste." Bibi Dong turned her back, and her voice suddenly carried the weight of one who had weathered life's many storms. "Xiao Yan, remember this: your own strength is what matters most. Others may always let you down."
Xiao Yan was a little surprised. His master clearly had a story of her own, and her willingness to use the pain of her past to guide him showed that she regarded him as one of her own. He bowed again. "Your disciple understands."
"All right, there's no need to be so formal." Bibi Dong sat down again and waved her hand. "Nana, come meet your junior brother." A young girl stepped out. She had long, jet-black hair. Though she had yet to fully blossom, she possessed a distinctive beauty, like a little fox. Xiao Yan had to admit that even combining the memories of both his lives, he had never seen a woman so alluring at such a young age.
"Junior Brother Xiao Yan, I'm Hu Liena, your senior sister." Hu Liena extended her hand to Xiao Yan. Her voice was a little husky, yet it held a unique charm. "I heard everything just now. You don't have a family, but from now on, Master and I will be your family, and Spirit Hall will be your home."
Xiao Yan was somewhat moved. He could feel the deep sincerity in the young girl's words. He had never expected to find the feeling of home again after leaving Holy Soul Village. Do I have a home in that other world too? Xiao Yan wondered. Then he clasped Hu Liena's hand firmly. "You're too kind, Senior Sister. Just call me Little Yanzi."
Bibi Dong watched her two disciples getting along so happily and smiled with relief. "Let your junior brother go, Liena. Starting today, Xiao Yan will also become a member of the Golden Generation," the Pope announced. Then she smiled at Xiao Yan and said, "Xiao Yan, welcome to your new family."
Hu Liena gave Xiao Yan a hug. Xiao Yan understood that his new life was about to begin.